SMH gets suck into QF service levels (yay!)

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I've noticed in the last six months that missing special request meals have become much more frequent. I just put it down to a statistical blip in that is was just happening nearby me for a few flights in a row, but perhaps it is something that is becoming more of an issue.
 
No surprises in the content of today's Socialist Morning Herald.

The only surprise is that they didn't blame QF's "bad service" on the Howard Government's illegal war in Iraq and imprisonment of refugees that violates international war....blah blah blah blah blah.....



As for special meals, too bad. Far too many hippies out there demanding their rocket & balsamic soy organic latte for any airline to deal with. Got a special "diet"? Pack your own cut lunch.

Bloody whingers. No wonder the country is going to the dogs.
 
With the special meals not being served, I wonder if the TA's involved actually passed on the dietary requirements.... It wouldn't be like a TA at all to accidentally miss something like that now would it? :D

As for the whole article, I don't think it is a good article. Can't pin down why...
 
Shillard, apart from the hippies, there are actually some people with real allergies that require special meals.

Expecting that we get these isn't unreasonable - after all, Qantas is the "full service airline" and certainly more expensive than the no-food competition!
 
odoherty said:
Shillard, apart from the hippies, there are actually some people with real allergies that require special meals.

Expecting that we get these isn't unreasonable - after all, Qantas is the "full service airline" and certainly more expensive than the no-food competition!

Dude,

Consider the explosion in "allergies" over the past decade or so. I have a mild allergic reaction to seafood & don't eat it, ever - but don't request a special meal (couldn't be coughd, I'll take my chances). People will die (or will claim they might die) if they eat:

- Seafood
- Nuts
- Wheat
- Dairy Products
- Parsely

And Christ only knows how many other things. Is it REALLY reasonable for to expect airlines to cater to all of these conditions?

Maybe we should just give all kids a peanut butter sandwich for their 3rd birthday, and sort the wheat from the chaff.......
 
shillard said:
Maybe we should just give all kids a peanut butter sandwich for their 3rd birthday, and sort the wheat from the chaff.......

:D

Didn't Darwin have a similar theory?
 
Hey, Shillard, have you ever experienced a situation in which you didn't get what you had paid for? Did you complain? Or couldn't you be bothered?
 
odoherty said:
Shillard, apart from the hippies, there are actually some people with real allergies that require special meals.
I can understand people with serious allergies not taking any risks and asking for special treatment but some of the others are questionable.

There are the grass munchers, jews won't eat pork, catholics eat fish on fridays, hindus won't eat beef, muslims won't eat unless all food is halal and so on. The number of people ordering special meals seems to be growing. That is our multi-cultural society and a lot more of them are flying. I don't think we travel for the food alone. Do we :?:

I don't understand why the people with "special meals" always get served first :?: I have seen a few of these "special meals" and they certainly look a lot better then the "normal meals". I think the trick is to order a "special meal", eat first, and you won't worry about getting stuck with the fish that tastes like chicken or the chicken that tastes like rubber. :?
 
JohnK said:
I think the trick is to order a "special meal", eat first, and you won't worry about getting stuck with the fish that tastes like chicken or the chicken that tastes like rubber. :?

Only problem for a status frequent flyer is that having special meal preferences (allegedly) reduces your (already very minimal) chance of an op-up. If you have special requests noted the staff can just skip over your name and onto the next one as upgrading you is too much trouble.
 
As for the whole article, I don't think it is a good article. Can't pin down why...
Like most of these articles it is too superficial; generally we FF'ers know a lot more about that type of subject than the article's author/(sub)editor. In effect, the article tells us very little we do not already know.

In relation to "Special Meals", I'll preface this by stating that I have a standard "Low Fat Meal".

What that means these days on the prevalent QF shorthaul domestic 'snack/refreshment' flights is that you get a bowl 'spicy fruit compote'.

With meal type flights, I do often have to ask when bing served, "I normally have a 'special'" when I get "Oh , I'll check" and it materialises somehow.

I have have surmised this is normally happens for one of two reasons:

•The FA are too lazy or do not have the time to cross reference the specials with the PAX.

•The FA's sometimes covet my LFML meal more than the standard fare.

Two or three times over the years I have actaully been dudded by FA's. Most recently, earlier this year. Until the middle of this year the Trans Tasman J LFML was generally superor to the standard J fare. This until they replaced the "Smoked Chicken" entree with 6 slices of Celery. :roll: I was talked out of having my smoked chicken one by the CSM; the meal I was then graced with was a shocker. On the way to the loo I saw him consuming the meal that was meant for me! :evil:
 
Mal said:
Only problem for a status frequent flyer is that having special meal preferences (allegedly) reduces your (already very minimal) chance of an op-up. If you have special requests noted the staff can just skip over your name and onto the next one as upgrading you is too much trouble.
OK, I am over the "special meal" thingy already.

I'll take my chances with the fish that tastes like chicken and the chicken that tastes like rubber. :D Just for that slim chance of receiving an upgrade. I really enjoy it when I am upgraded :oops: . Bring it on. :D
 
Why isn't my "special meal" requirement of full fat, extra portions and extra bottle of wine not an option on the list ?
 
I've seen that special meal stuandmel. Only problem is it's only served in first/business. :( :(

If Qantas is not prepared to provide special meals 100% of the time, then don't offer them! Especially with a proviso of 'Meals are on a request basis only and cannot be guaranteed'..

I get sick of companies that offer all options that other companies offer so they can say 'me too, I do that' but then put something in the fine print.. :evil: :evil:
 
Oh come on! All this moaning about "special meals". When the standard fare is a choice between three postage stamp sized "flat breads" with half a shot of hummus dip; or an apple - does it really matter? In fact I would have thought an apple would have met most special meal needs.
 
at least there is an option for eating something ... the way the airline industry is heading we will be required it will be like buying food at the cinema soon ...
 
bigjobs said:
at least there is an option for eating something ... the way the airline industry is heading we will be required it will be like buying food at the cinema soon ...
I can just see those Jaffa's rolling down the aisle and having to brush the popcorn husks off before taking your seat. :D
 
I used to like those "suprise package" meals in the cardboard box. There were times when I was tempted to eat the box itself as it looked more appealing and edible. :D

Wasn't it the case that anyone order a vegitarian special meal just got the empty cardboard box??
 
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My only special meal requirement is >15 years maturation in the cask. Its a shame that most flights fail to stock my required beverage :cry: .

For domestic flights, I think any strange meal requirements should be BYO, and ensure all standard meals are not high in fat or sugar. Keep the standard meals to reasonably healthy and free of common allergy problems (peanuts, shellfish etc) is good enough in my opinion.

And for long-haul flights where its is necessary for all people to eat, carry enough basic meal choices to cope with most requirements - perhaps 3 options, with one being vegetarian (must be a common choice), one being low fat (heart foundation tick of approval, such as skinless chicken and salad) and one being greasy pork chop in satay sauce with salted chips.

In my experience, long-haul J and F menus have enough variety to meet most fussy requirements. One helping of a not-so-low-fat meal is not going to kill many people. Special meals should only be required where there is risk of illness to the person if they consume a meal that is not compliant with their medical condition. One helping of bacon and eggs does not glog ones arteries to the point of heart attack.

When I travel on Cathay Pacific or Malaysian Airlines is expect to be offered Chinese or Malaysian style food. When I travel in BA I expect to get a bacon butty.
 
shillard said:
No surprises in the content of today's Socialist Morning Herald.

The only surprise is that they didn't blame QF's "bad service" on the Howard Government's illegal war in Iraq and imprisonment of refugees that violates international war....blah blah blah blah blah.....

I realise that I'm a relative newbie, but after a post I made last week that had a political tone to it started a kerfuffle, why is this acceptable? :?

But back to the topic... I also feel it is about time QF service was improved. It's not so much about the food or lack of it, but more about the attitude of the crew. DJ leaves QF for dead in this dept, IMhO! :wink:

- Peter
 
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